When we put out a request for beauty blog topic ideas on our Facebook^® page, I was surprised that adult acne was suggested by so many people. (I had thought I was one of the few who couldn’t leave my breakouts back in high school.) You might not know this, but the acne flare-ups you get today can be very different from the acne you spent time concealing before your class photo shoots. Believe it or not, about 50 percent of women over the age of 25 get acne; it’s the most common skin disorder in the U.S. So why do we still have acne flare-ups as adults, and what we can do to manage this problem?

Stress and hormones.

Ah, the joys of being a woman. When you’re stressed out, or when your hormones are fluctuating due to ovulation or pregnancy, your adrenal glands produce more androgen (a male hormone). Androgen stimulates your sebaceous glands, causing them to increase oil and sebum production, which clogs your pores with oil and dead skin cells. This can attract bacteria, causing inflammation–a prime condition for acne flare-ups.

Poor diet.

If your diet lacks essential nutrients, contains the residual hormones that result from modern meat production, or consists primarily of processed foods that don’t contain any friendly bacteria, you’re putting yourself at risk for acne flare-ups. While it’s a myth that chocolate and cheese cause breakouts, you should limit the amount of sugary and processed foods in your diet. These cause an increase in insulin levels in your body, which can leade to an increase in another male hormone, testosterone. The overproduction of testosterone can also lead to the overproduction of sebum, which again can cause clogged pores and set up ideal conditions for bacteria growth.

So how can you treat adult acne?

Choose your cosmetics carefully.

Mature skin is thinner and more sensitive than youthful skin, and it requires more hydration. But be careful about the products you put on your skin, because they may be contributing to your acne. For instance, certain oil-based products can block pores and clog follicles.

It’s best to avoid cosmetics and treatments that contain derivatives of lanolin, isopropyl myristate, and laureth-4. Lanolin, which is an oil extracted from sheep’s wool, is one of the most common ingredients in cosmetics. The fatty acids in lanolin, like fatty acids in our bodies’ own oils, tend to aggravate acne.

But not all oils cause breakouts. Silicone and dimethicone, for example, mattify skin and actually help control the oil. Try to stick to products marked as noncomedogenic so you know they won’t clog your pores.

Many popular liquid or compact foundations contain talc, which can also clog your pores. And, if you continue to use these heavy foundations to cover your acne, you get stuck in a cycle that makes your acne worse.  Instead, try a mineral foundation. Use the smaller concealer brush to cover up blemishes.

Wash your face after working out.

Don’t give your sweat any time to mix with the oils in your skin, which can contribute to making acne worse. Try using Timeless Secret^® Smart Foam^® Face Wash. It contains salicylic acid that mildly exfoliates dead skin to help prevent breakouts, plus it’s sulfate free, so it won’t dry out your skin. Keep in mind that harsh cleansers, alkaline bar soaps, and alcohol-based products can also help make acne worse; avoid strong gels and products that contain beads or granules, which can be abrasive,  irritating your sensitive skin. Other gentle cleansers you can try include Cetaphil^® and Aquanil^®.

Try over-the-counter treatments.

Over-the-counter topical products with ingredients like salicylic acid or sulfur can often help treat mild acne. Products containing retinol can stimulate cell renewal and promote the exfoliation of dead skin cells. It can also help improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Products that contain salicylic and glycolic acids can help fade acne scars and help deal with other skin discoloration. And to spot-treat a breakout, it can often be helpful to try a product that contains benzoyl peroxide, which has antiseptic properties that help fight harmful bacteria, as well as helping exfoliate dead skin cells.

See your dermatologist to get a prescription medication.

If your acne becomes painful or causes excessive scarring, or if over-the-counter (OTC) medications aren’t clearing it up, you might want to consult a dermatologist. Prescription products, such as antimicrobials, retinoid creams, or products that have higher doses of benzoyl perxoxide, can be used to treat mild to moderately severe acne. Stronger antibiotics can be used to treat moderate to severe acne by targeting bacteria and reducing inflammation. Keep in mind that your body can build up immunity to antibiotics over time, rendering them less effective. Talk to your doctor to learn about these and other prescription and nonprescription methods of dealing with adult acne.

Consider high-tech solutions.

Dermatologists can also offer you newer technologies, including light and laser therapy and chemical peels. However, remember that newer doesn’t necessarily mean better, and these treatments may not be necessary. Plus these more intrusive therapies can be costly, and can require considerable recovery time for delicate skin to rebound from swelling, pain, and redness. Laser and intense pulsed light treatments (IPL) are mainly used to target scars, but blue light therapy treatments are sometimes used to combat acne-causing bacteria.

Don’t give up on a treatment too soon.

Be patient. Skin reacts slowly to treatment. Even if the acne came on fast, it still requires time to heal. Try a product for at least a month to give it a chance to work.

Hope this helps alleviate some of your concerns about adult acne.

—Holly

Do you have any beauty issues you thought you wouldn’t have to deal anymore with once you reached adulthood?

The best chicken is the crispy, deep-fried, lathered-with-batter chicken. But that isn’t good for my hips, or my heart. So I’ve taken a healthy approach to my mom’s fried-chicken recipe by tweaking the ingredients.

Crispy Oven-Baked Chicken

Ingredients:

8 6–8 oz. boneless, skinless chicken breasts

2 cups plain bread crumbs

1–2 Tbsp. vegetable oil (canola, safflower, etc.)

3 Tbsp. hot pepper sauce

1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp. black pepper, freshly ground

1 tsp. salt (optional)

In a large bowl, whisk together hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, and salt (if using). Add the chicken and marinate in the refrigerator for 2–12 hours.

Preheat oven to 425° F. Remove chicken from marinade, add bread crumbs to the marinade, and mix well. Coat chicken thoroughly with mixture.

Spread oil over the bottom of a shallow 9″x13″ baking dish. Arrange chicken in the dish and bake for 15–20 minutes. Turn chicken over; reduce heat to 325° F and cook for an additional 15–20 minutes or until juices run clear when pierced with a fork. Makes 8 5-oz. servings.

Cooking Time: 30–40 minutes

Nutritional Information: (per serving)

Protein: 30 g

Fiber: 1 g

Carbs: 20 g

Fat Total: 8 g

Saturated Fat: 2 g

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I have. Now the winters have become a little more bearable!

-Rebecca

Last week, Louise gave us some fabulous tips on how to hydrate and protect your skin in the winter. But don’t forget that your hair also needs protection from the blistering winds and drying indoor heat. When it comes to haircare, I’m your girl. Here are some things you can do to weatherproof your hair so it stays soft, silky, and strong throughout the winter months.

Don’t leave your house with wet hair.

Believe it or not, wet hair can actually freeze up and break off! So make sure to dry your hair before you go outside. And how you can avoid damage while you’re drying it?

Use a cooler setting on your blow dryer.

Instead of the “hot” setting, use your hairdryer’s “warm” or “cool” setting to dry your hair, as it’s less damaging and drying. Then when you’re ready to smooth the hair cuticles and set your style, use the hot setting (sparingly!) for those finishing touches.

Strengthen your hair with a protein treatment.

Is your hair feeling extra brittle? Prepare your hair for the winter months with a professional salon protein treatment. Why? Protein helps repair damaged hair and reduce breakage by helping to rebuild the hair structure and strengthen the strands.

However, protein treatments are designed to fill in empty spots in the cuticle and hair shaft, not hydrate your hair strands. So make sure to wait 4 to 6 weeks before you use another protein treatment, or you could end up with more breakage than you started with.

Want to save money by doing your protein treatment at home? ApHogee^® Two-Step Protein Treatment is a reasonably priced protein treatment that helps rebuild your hair structure and prevent breakage for up to 6 weeks. Just make sure to read the instructions carefully, limit your treatments to every 6 weeks, and follow it with a conditioning moisturizer.

Replace your styling gel with styling crème.

In these dry winter months, our hair needs all the moisture it can get! Styling crèmes add moisture to your hair, make it more pliable, and improve its elasticity, making it less likely to break. PhytoSpecific^® Moisturizing Styling Cream helps hydrate your hair while you style it. And it’s free of sulfates and paraben!

Shield your hair with a hat.

Outdoor activities like winter sports and even taking a walk on a windy day can wreak havoc on your hair, whipping it around, drying it out, and causing split ends. So how do you protect your hair? Wear a hat! There are tons of cute styles to choose from. To keep your hair safe from dry winter air and chilly winds, wear a loose-fitting knit cap, a casual beanie, or a hoodie—or just wrap a scarf over your hair. Simple but effective! Just make sure you tuck all your hair under the hat—if necessary, put it in a ponytail or use a headband.

So what should you do about hat head? Combat static and keep flyaways under control by putting a little bit of hairspray on your hairbrush and running it through your hair. Hard to tote hairspray with you when you’re on the go? Bring along a travel-sized container, or keep a tube of clear mascara in your purse to brush your flyaways into place. Or try this: Throw an anti-static dryer sheet in your purse. You can actually control static by running it across your hair.

Wishing you good winter hair days,

Debra

How do you protect your hair in the winter?

Winter is the perfect time for bundling up from head to toe—in wool scarves, long-sleeved knit sweaters, and comfy thermal socks. But even if your face is the only part of you exposed to the chillier weather, that doesn’t mean the rest of your body isn’t feeling the effects of winter. Nights by the fireplace, indoor heating, and freezing winds can really dry out your skin. If you want to avoid chapped lips, cracked heels, and more, check out these winter survival tips to help keep your skin hydrated and protected.

Face, neck, and décolleté

Even on a cloudy or rainy day, your face, neck, and décolleté are exposed to drying wind, as well as damaging UVB and UVA rays that cause dryness, wrinkles, and age spots.

Timeless Secret^® Pure Radiance Day Moisturizer SPF20 UVA/UVB hydrates your skin and protects it from the sun’s damaging rays. When you apply the Timeless Secret Accelerating Booster^® Wrinkle Corrector over it, you create a breathable layer that locks in moisture so your skin stays hydrated and protected around the clock.

And to prevent or treat chapped lips, choose a lip balm with SPF protection and vitamin E. Banana Boat^® makes a great waterproof lip balm with aloe vera, vitamin E, and SPF 30. Or, for even more protection and full-looking lips, use Derm Exclusive^® Volume Lip Therapy SPF 15. It has Hyaluronic Filling Spheres and natural moisturizers that penetrate deeply to smooth and plump lines, plus SPF 15 to protect you against environmental damage.

Elbows and knees

The skin on your elbows and knees can become thick, scaly, and cracked in the winter. To alleviate this uncomfortable dryness, right after you shower, use a rich, therapeutic cream that contains shea butter to seal in moisture. Shea butter—a fat extracted from the nut of the African shea tree—helps protect, nourish, and soften your skin.

Hands and nails

When you’re outside without mittens or gloves, your hands are also exposed to the drying wind and damaging rays from the sun. To help protect them, use a hand cream with SPF. RESIST Ultimate Anti-Aging Hand Cream SPF 30 + Antioxidants helps shield your hands from sun damage, aging, and brown spots.

When indoors, simply having the heat on can dry out your hands. Choose a cream specifically made for the hands, or use your favorite body butter or cream. Butters and creams tend to deliver more moisture to the skin than lotions do.

And for that extra dry skin around the edges of the nails that’s known as the cuticle, you can get a cuticle oil, which is made specifically to soften that part of the skin.

Don’t forget your feet

When it comes to foot care, in the winter or anytime else, it’s really important not to forget the basics: Wear comfortable shoes! Tight shoes can cause friction and irritate your feet.

But the dry, cracked feet we suffer in the winter are a pain—literally. Here’s how to soften and smooth them.

Foot creams—thick moisturizers formulated specifically for the feet—are made to penetrate this thick skin on the soles and heels. Kerasal^® is an especially effective foot moisturizer that was formerly sold only in podiatrist’s offices, but is now available at most drugstores.

So, to wrap up, enjoy the winter—heaters, fireplaces, and all. But remember to give your skin a little extra attention at this time of year.

—Louise

Ceramic-cored, nanoionic, ergonomic-handled, and tourmaline-infused: These high-tech names sound like industrial machine parts. But they actually describe the latest hairbrushes. Really? All that in a hairbrush? Believe it or not, it’s true. Little did I know that a simple trip to the store to replace my basic 5-year-old paddle brush would open my eyes to a generation of hairbrushes that seem to do practically everything but choose a hairstyle for you!

Overwhelmed by so many options, I decided to do a bit more research to find out what kind of brush would give me the highest percentage of “good hair days.” Here’s what I learned about how to choose among all the fancy-sounding descriptions.

First, choose the bristle type that best suits your hair’s needs:

Plastic and nylon bristles. Have thick, easily knotted hair? These are great for everyday detangling. But watch out—these bristles melt easily from the high heat of a blow-dryer, and they can scratch your scalp if you don’t get the kind with the tiny balls at the end of each bristle.

Boar bristles. These are some of the softest natural bristles available, and they really do come from the necks of wild boars. They clean hair and massage the scalp to distribute shine-enhancing sebum (an odorless oil), and they won’t cause breakage the way synthetic bristles can. If you have fine hair, these natural bristles work well. Have curly or coarse hair? Choose black boar bristles; they’re stronger.

Wooden bristles. Have long, thick hair with fly-aways? You might prefer wooden bristles. They stimulate the scalp while you brush without generating static electricity. Made of natural hardwood and rounded on the ends, they’re often handcrafted, so they tend to be more expensive than synthetic bristles.

Now select your brush technology. (Keep in mind that many brushes multitask!)

Ceramic. For quicker styling and longer-lasting styles, use a brush with a ceramic core. It heats up faster and retains heat longer.
Ionic.   If you have frizzy, thick hair that takes forever to dry, get a brush with ionic technology. Ions resist static and attract moisture, sealing in natural oils and increasing shine. They also help your hair dry faster, because ions cause water molecules to fall off the hair shaft faster.

Note for those of you with very fine or lifeless hair: Ionic technology is not your best option.  It can make your hair look flat.

Hollow barreled.  The extra-large vent in these brushes allows for greater airflow, majorly reducing drying time and helping to set your style.

Tourmaline. These brushes are made with tourmalines, a gemstone that’s crushed and infused into the bristles of the brush, releasing natural ions that help impart shine and eliminate frizz and flyaways.

Easy-grip ergonomic handles.  This simply makes it easier to hold the brush comfortably. Trust me, it’ll keep you from wanting to throw your brush against the wall during a long blow-out.

Hot air brush styler. Who needs a blow-dryer, anyway? This type of brush has its own built-in blow-dryer—the brush spins and dries at the same time. It helps smooth your hair while adding lift and shine. These aren’t typically as powerful as most hairdryers, but they’re great for restyling on the go.

After some “hair-raising” shopping, I finally found the perfect large ceramic-barrel brush with ionic ball bristles for my fine, long hair, and it’s already making styling so much easier and better for my hair!

Have you decided on the brush shape, bristle type, and technology you’d like? Now you can shop for your next brush with confidence and whip your hair (without damage) into some serious style, fast!

Happy brush hunting. May your next at-home blow-out look salon professional,

—Debra

What type of brush do you use? Are you going to buy a new brush now that you’ve read this?

One of my favorite fall traditions is fragrance shopping. It’s kind of my grown-up version of back-to-school shopping. Since I was a little girl playing with the Barbie^® perfume maker, I’ve been hooked on scents. They’re pretty sentimental to me. Ever catch a whiff of something that brings back a fond memory?

As a teen I wore Love’s Baby Soft^® and now it reminds me of frosted pink lip gloss and daydreams about being a rock star! And when I smell roses, I think of my mother and grandmother and their rosy floral scents.

So as soon as the cold weather arrives each year, I can’t wait to rotate my closet, transition into fall makeup, and find a new fall scent to create memories in. To get in the mood, I usually start by picking up some apple cinnamon and pumpkin spice candles or room spray to remind me of holidays with my family. Then I head to Sephora^® to test out the long-awaited new fall fragrances! If you’ve never thought of switching up your scent with the seasons, here’s why you may want to.

In the spring and summer, light and fruity fragrances work best on warm sunny days. But in the chill of winter, the cooler, drier climate keeps fragrances from lasting as long, so you’ll want to switch to something a bit heavier—perhaps something with a woodsy flair, an essence of vanilla beans to remind you of holiday desserts, or spicy warmth reminiscent of pumkin pie or hot apple cider.  Reminiscing of cozy days by the fireplace yet?

Ready to find your next fall fragrance? Follow your nose and these tips:

1.) Go unscented. When you jet off on your fragrance excursion to Paris, France (or more likely the mall), steer clear of clouding your palate with other scents. Don’t wear perfume or scented lotions. Opt for clean, unscented skin so you can get the full effect of the fragrances you’ll be testing. But before I say any more . . .

2.) Don’t rush. Selecting a fragrance is a personal experience. Don’t just grab something off the shelf because you love the packaging or remember a beautiful model from its magazine ad. Between scents, take a few deep breaths or breathe into a scarf to clear your smell-o-meter. If you’re not familiar with ingredients, take time to ask the sales associate questions. They may be able to help you find a perfume that matches your preferences. Use the testers and the fragrance sticks before you decide which one to try on your body.

Don’t bother sniffing coffee beans in between as some experts suggest, as they’ll just introduce you to another smell rather than clearing your sensory palate.

If you don’t have time to try all the scents you’d like, ask for samples. At Sephora you can usually have a sample made of any perfume so you can try it on your own time. But if you’re going to try on perfumes in a store, remember this.

3.) Apply to pulse points. These areas, including the inside of the wrist, neck, and behind the knees, tend to stay warmer, which makes the scent last longer. The fragrance’s intensity is affected by temperature, which is why certain fragrances work best during different seasons.

If you remember only a couple things, make it these: DO NOT spray perfume on your clothing. You might stain lighter fabrics. Lastly, try to avoid spraying perfume in your hair. Mixed with products, the chemicals can cause the perfume to turn. And the alcohol in the perfume can dry out your hair.

4.) Limit the number of scents you test on your body. Testing more than two fragrances on your body can overwhelm your olfactory sense. Trust me, I know. Once I tried on five different scents—in various places on my body—in the same day. In the end I bought nothing because I could barely smell the difference between them or remember which fragrance was which! When you find one or two favorites, test them on your body, then wait 20 minutes for the alcohol to evaporate on the strip and for the fragrance to dry down and mix with your skin’s chemistry. What you smell at first will not be what you smell later.

5.) Bring an extra nose.  Your spouse or partner might be a great choice for a second opinion. However, my boyfriend will tell me anything smells good just to leave sooner, so I usually bring a friend.  Ask the sales associates questions about the scents, but keep in mind they work on commission and have other customers. Your plus-one may be able to give you a second honest opinion that you can rely on.

Hope this helps you find a scent you love,

Louise

What scents activate memories for you? How do you find a new perfume?

Recently I moved from our Santa Monica, California, office to our smaller east coast office in New York City. I’ve lived in New York before, so I knew the fashion “decisions” I’d been making in sunny SoCal wouldn’t be acceptable in “the fashion capital of the world“. At our Beachbody® corporate office, I could wear gym pants, tennis shoes, and a T-shirt any day of the week. When I wanted to “dress up,” I’d wear a sundress and some nice sandals.

Here in NYC, however, it just feels weird to walk down the street in workout gear or flip-flops when everyone else is dressed to the nines. Now that I’ve been here for a while, though, I feel like I’ve gotten back in the swing of things fashion-wise, and I’ve realized that it’s not that hard to look like a stylish city girl. Here are the five wardrobe staples every well-dressed woman should have if she wants to look like she belongs in chic, trendy New York City.

1.  Leather boots. These are so versatile. You can wear them at the beginning of the fall with a dress and cardigan, or in the cold of winter to help keep you warm. The weather can be harsh in NYC, and boots are a great way to protect your feet from the cold rain, snow, and slush (they can double as rain-boots or snow boots in the winter months. Just make sure you get them treated with leather protector). Piperlime.com has great options (with free returns!), or try DSW—they have great deals on designer boots, often at a savings of 50 percent or more.

2.   Anything black. Yes, New Yorkers love black! But who can blame them? Black is slimming and matches everything, and when you wear it, you can look dressed up as easily as you can look dressed down. A basic black dress can be worn any month of the year, and can be the most versatile item in your closet. In the spring, you can wear terrific black pumps and accessories. In the fall and winter, black leggings, sweaters, and boots are always great. The black dress will become the most versatile item in your closet. And when you have a great pair of black slacks, you can change your look by changing from heels to flats, and changing your tops from dressy to casual.

3.   Jeggings. I know some women may still be a little iffy on wearing a skin-tight pair of leggings that look like jeans. I used to be one of them, so I get it. But jeggings are actually flattering on all body types. You can balance them with the right top and look completely on trend. Just work with your body type when pairing a top with the jeggings—ladies like me with wider hips might want to wear something a little looser on top, the more flowing the better. If you’re shorter, make sure the top hits right below the belt loops. If you want to make your legs look longer, wear a longer top with a shorter jacket or cardigan to lengthen those gams. The great thing about jeggings is that you can wear them to work with flats and a blazer, wear them out on the town with a great pair of pumps, or dress them down on the weekend by tucking them into a pair of boots. The lines will make your legs and booty look great, and because they aren’t baggy, you’ll look slim and sleek.

4.   Colorful solid or print scarves. I’m sure you all already own at least one wonderful scarf. I have eight, in a variety of colors and patterns—some plain, some sparkly. A scarf is the key accessory for a New York City girl. Scarves can pull together a wide variety of outfits; they can really elevate your look to a new level. Plus they keep your neck warm during the chilly months, or when your office blasts the AC in the summer. If you’re feeling wild, go for a leopard print. If you’re wearing your all-black outfit, try a bright pink or blue scarf to punch it up.

5.   Waist-cinching belt. Now, here’s an accessory I’ve seen even more often here in New York City than I’ve seen high heels. Women here love to flaunt their beautiful curves by cinching their waists with a statement belt. You can wrap a belt around your dress to give it a more flattering line, or wear a belt outside your cardigan to give your outfit a new look. You can even use a belt to help make your winter coat look more feminine. I’ve been wearing waist-cinching belts for a while, because I find they help me more than double my wardrobe. Sometimes I just throw a belt around a dress to give it a little something extra. When it gets colder, I take that same dress, layer a cardigan over it, belt the waist over the sweater, and viola!, a brand-new look, sometimes for a dress I’ve owned for years. Just be careful when choosing waist-cinching belts—you want to make sure they’re not too tight, so they’re comfortable both when you’re sitting and when you’re standing (you don’t want to feel like you’re wearing a corset). If a belt has some elastic components, you can change its position to change the look of your outfit. Wear it right under your ribcage at your natural waistline, or wear it a little lower to make your torso look longer.

So there we have it: five wardrobe essentials that’ll make you look like a city girl. As you’ve read over this list, you probably noticed one or more items you’ve been wearing for years. But that’s how fashion is—constantly recycling and renewing itself.  It may be the “fashion capital of the world”, but we’re all women – we just want to look fabulous and be comfortable while doing it!

(And hey, if we can double our wardrobe without spending money, that’s just an extra bonus!)

Until next time – stay trendy!

Rebecca

Do you shy away from eco-friendly cosmetics because you think they won’t perform well? Years ago you might have been right. But times have changed. Natural and organic products are no longer just for hippies. Several eco-friendly and organic brands have made it easy to go green by creating some truly wonderful cosmetics that really work – so you can look beautiful without compromising your health or the environment.

Here are some of my favorites:

8 eco-friendly cosmetic brands that perform beautifully

Alison Raffaele

As a makeup artist, Alison knows a thing or two about cosmetics. Hers was actually the first makeup artist-developed brand to create professional-quality, environmentally responsible products that are good for your skin!

Josie Maran

With experience as a supermodel, actress, activist, and eco-entrepreneur, Josie developed cosmetics with an argon oil base that are sophisticated and luxurious as well as pure, gentle, non-toxic, and eco-friendly – from the packaging to the pigments.

Jane Iredale

Are you a mineral makeup lover?  Believe it or not, Jane Iredale was the first woman to supply the aesthetics and medical industries with a full mineral-based makeup line that’s good for your skin. Free of talc, mineral oil, chemical dyes, and preservatives, so it won’t irritate the skin either.

Korres

With roots in the oldest homeopathic pharmacy in ancient Greece, pharmacist George Korres remains passionate about using natural, herbal ingredients in an effective and safe way. As he creates powerful products that pamper the skin, he still manages to help organic farmers, support local communities, and protect natural resources.

Tarte

Isn’t it nice when glamour is good for you? Tarte’s high performance naturals fit the bill. Whether you wear their natural looking cheek stains or apply eyeshadow from one of their gorgeous palates, you can rest assured that their products are free of parabens, phthalates, or synthetic fragrances.  And you’d never guess that their chic and beautiful packaging is made from post-recycled material.

Nvey Eco

Ever get makeup in your mouth? Well, this Australian import is actually safe for consumption – although it’s not meant for it. As the first and only cosmetic brand to be certified by the Organic Food Chain, it boasts products made of natural beeswax, rose absolute, jojoba oil, chamomile and vitamins (including  A, E and C) for their soothing, restorative properties.

Alima Pure

You know that shiny, iridescent effect you get from some mineral makeup? This is usually due to bismuth oxychloride, a naturally occurring mineral used as a makeup colorant. But it can also cause skin irritation, like bumps and/or itching.  Thankfully, Alima Pure uses only the finest minerals and they choose to leave out the bismuth oxychloride.  Their minerals are specially processed to be light and silky so they stay on your skin.  And they’re non-comodegenic so they won’t clog your pores.

Scotch Naturals

Did you know that while you’re painting your nails, you could be exposing yourself to toxins? I was happy to find Scotch Naturals, who produce non-toxic, chemical-free nail polish with water-based formulas that last. Their polish is vegan, cruelty-free, gluten free, fragrance free, toxin free, paraben free, hypoallergenic, and biodegradable.  To sum it up, they’re pretty safe. They even have a line called Hopscotch Kids for the wee ones.

Whether you’ve already made a commitment to using environmentally friendly organic products or you’re just getting introduced to them, I hope this helps you sift through the clutter to find fabulous products that work!

-Holly

Sometimes the latest isn’t always the greatest. Just like my favorite vintage outfits, many of my go-to beauty products came out decades ago! Believe it or not, I still use Pond’s^® Cold Cream, like my grandmother did, to remove my makeup. And I found out I’m not the only one using products from the past.

A bunch of us at work got to reminiscing about products from back in the day that we still use and love. Take a look. You may just find a new favorite in this collection of tried-and-true classics.

Time-tested beauty favorites from the ladies of Beachbody^®.

“I’ve been using Phillip’s Milk of Magnesia^® as face primer since high school. It’s cheap and easy to find and it’s great for oily skin because it helps soak up oil on your face and prevents shine. It also creates a kind of ‘barrier layer’ between my pores and the makeup. I just dab a little bit all over my face with a cotton ball and let it dry before putting on the rest of my makeup. Just make sure not to use too much or it will leave white streaks on your face when it dries!”—Magen B.

“I did a lot of theater when I was younger, and we always used Albolene^® to remove stage makeup. I still use it today. It takes off any 24-hour/waterproof/otherwise tenacious formulas in milliseconds, leaves your skin nice and soft, and comes in a giant vat you just might be able to pass down to your grandchildren.”—Elizabeth B.

“Rosebud Salve^® is a HUGE cult fave. I use it for everything, from lip balm to cuticle moisturizer to makeup remover. I used to tell my friends it was my ‘Windex’—like in the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding!”—Courtney K.

“Since 1992, I’ve used Revlon^® Colorstay™ Makeup. It’s the best! And since 1982, I’ve been using Aveda^® Brilliant™ Humectant Pomade, the only product that can tame my curly hair!”—Lisa L.

“I swear by oils. My mother has used Vitamin E oil on her face her whole adult life and looks amazing for her age. I use both Vitamin E oil and Argan Oil on my skin daily.”—Adrienne W.

“I still use Baby Magic^® body wash, which has been around since 1951. I love the smell, and it’s very gentle. I remember using it as a very little girl and then my mom used it on my younger sister. I rediscovered it in middle school when I spent the weekend at the beach with girls I was babysitting and ran out of soap. I loved the way it smelled and I’ve been using it ever since.”—Louise B.

“I’ve been using Lip Smacker^® in Dr. Pepper^® since I was 17! It adds a bit of gloss and tint to my lips but looks natural so I can wear it every day. Here’s a trick: Rub some on your cheeks if you need to look awake and don’t have your makeup kit with you!”—Rebecca H.

“One of the best-kept secrets in the professional makeup industry is Yves Saint Laurent^® Touche Éclat^®. It came out in the 1990s, but it’s still one of the best highlighters out there. To make your eyes look wider, use it between your eyebrows. Or create fuller-looking lips by dabbing it in the hollow of your chin and around the contour of your lips.”—Brianna C.

“I swear by Maybelline^® Great Lash^® Mascara. I can never go without the blackest black noir for defining every lash. The brush is so tiny and precise it’s able to grab lashes that I can’t even see—and it never flakes. The clear version is amazing for keeping my stubborn brows in place.”—Charrie C.

“Chanel^® fragrances. They’re all I’ve worn for years and they are all totally timeless, which is saying something in the world of fragrance! And two items I now consider classics are our very own Timeless Secret^® Smart Foam^® Face Wash and Derm Exclusive^® Intensive Repair Serum. My skin is hypersensitive and very picky about what it likes and doesn’t like. I love the results I get from these items and that my skin takes to them so well. I’ll stick with these for the long haul.”—Erin K.

So those are a few of our favorites. As much as we love new products, there are some oldies but goodies that we just can’t part with. Now I want to hear about your go-to products!

—Whitney

What are your favorite classic beauty products?

Ever wonder how much hair loss is normal? Recently, I did a few double takes at the hair that was coming off in my brushes and got to thinking about why this happens. Research was the only way to quell my curiosity, so what’s the first thing I Googled?

“How much hair loss is normal?”

I was relieved to find out that most women shed about 50 to 150 strands per day, so I’m in the clear for now. But here’s why this happens.

Did you know that hair grows in 3 phases? About 85 percent of hair follicles on your scalp are in the active growth phase at any one time—this phase lasts for up to 6 years. During this phase, your hair can grow about an inch every 2 to 3 months.

Then for about 2 or 3 weeks, those hair follicles go into a transitional phase during which the follicle shrinks and the lower part of it is destroyed. Don’t freak out about this—it’s just part of the process.

Finally, your hair enters the resting phase. Over the course of 5 or 6 weeks, 10 to 15 percent of the hair in the resting phase falls out. When the active phase starts again, the hairs that have not yet been shed are pushed out by new hairs and the cycle starts all over again. Thankfully, different hair follicles are in different phases at any given time, so our hair doesn’t all fall out at once! Here’s an interesting fact: Genetics determines how long our hair will grow before it falls out, which is why some people can grow long hair and others can’t.

But what if you’re losing more than a normal amount of hair?

Common causes of thinning hair

Hereditary female-pattern baldness; emotional or physical stress; hormone or thyroid problems; pregnancy; menopause; severe dieting; inadequate protein, iron, or zinc intake; and certain medications can all interrupt the normal phases of hair growth.

And you may be self-sabotaging your hair with certain common  beauty treatments. Chemicals that dye or bleach, straightening treatments, hair extensions, weaves, and excessive brushing or teasing can all cause breakage, making your hair look thinner overall. Even overly tight ponytails or braids can cause hair loss, especially in the temple area. So now let’s talk about how you can tackle the problem head-on. Pun intended.

What can I do about thinning hair?

Start out by talking to your doctor. He or she will look into possible causes. For example, if it’s due to a hormonal imbalance or thyroid condition, a hormone-regulating prescription can help.

Then consider trying one of these hair-loss treatments.

* Rogaine^® (AKA minoxidil) is a topical liquid treatment you can apply to your scalp on a daily basis to stimulate hair growth and slow balding.

* The Nioxin Scalp Treatment^® is a vitamin-enriched daily leave-in to safeguard against DHT buildup on the scalp. DHT is a form of testosterone that clogs the hair follicle and slows growth. Who knew?

* Sephora carries a product called Phyto^® Phytocane Revitalizing Serum. It stimulates microcirculation in the scalp to create healthy conditions for new hair growth.

Feed your hair, too. Some foods have more nutrients that support healthy hair growth than others do. So go for foods high in protein (meats), biotin (nuts, eggs, and berries,) zinc (peanuts and dark chocolate), and iron (legumes and fish). If your diet isn’t balanced, try Shakeology^®, a superfood shake that’ll help you get essential nutrients for good overall health. And take the Derm Exclusive^® Collagen Renew Supplement, which has ingredients to promote healthy hair, like biotin, which helps thicken the hair cuticle.

Why not fake it till you make it?

While your hair is growing back, use volumizing shampoo/conditioner or styling products to disguise thinning hair instantly. Look for ingredients such as rice or wheat proteins to help thicken strands of your hair.

I hope I’ve shed some light on this topic so you can tame your hair worry-free.

—Louise

Have you experienced thinning hair? What have you done to reverse the process or mask the problem?